Thinking about Michael Jackson

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Eric

I’m over Arizona at 30,000 feet catching up on my writing. Delta, my new favorite airline after Jet Blue went mainstream, offers on-demand video which really helps the time pass. I’ve watched District 9, and September Issue and am now completely caught up in the Michael Jackson film This Is It. Even a small 9″ screen I’m getting the same visceral thrill and shivers that I got when I saw it in the theater.

MJ has to be the most completely talented entertainer of the last 50 years. No, not the best singer, but a complete being of entertainment. To see the passion that he brings, the complete involvement and mastery is inspiring as well as riveting. I’m getting goose bumps watching him flawlessly execute complex dance moves with an ease and facility that is astonishing.

Yes I’m a fan, but I’m biased. This guy is a complete utter professional, immersed with his whole being into his craft and art. It’s a level of involvement and dedication and focus to strive for.

Yes, the guy had issues, but how can he not. He has been in a hot house of visibility his entire life . He probably did not really know how to be a normal person

I could see an opera based on his life….just sayin’.

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Justin Elliott in St. Petersburg Times

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Eric

Great article about my friend Justin Elliott and his work improving the looks and sound of pianos.

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Why Should You?

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Eric

Truss beam fittingThere are many things on which to spend money. Good old Mazlow spelled them out for us. A piano is an investment in oneself, in ones striving for culture, experience and to some gods grace. Grace can be, of course, in anything. However an expensive, craft build piano is a particularly unique example.

If you play, a piano is a means of expression, a means of communication. It has been said that a piano is western civilization’s most perfect tool for the communication of emotion. That can be external communication, directed to an audience, or internal, directed only to oneself. It can be a tool of profound exploration or simple time passing, but so can any piano, right?

Yes, of course, but also, no, obviously not. A craft built piano has 2 important qualities; musical range and a story. The range comes from the combination of carefully selected and treated materials and skilled craftsmanship. These elements DO make a difference and even the most casual piano player can tell the difference.
Continue reading →

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Interesting reading

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Eric

Greg Billings, a Steinway dealer in Florida tells you  a lot about Steinway’s marketing strategy.

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The Myth of Power

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Eric

powerOften, when speaking to someone about pianos and piano tone, the topic of power comes up. Frequently whether or not a piano has sufficient “power” becomes a de facto determination of whether a piano is acceptable or not. In these situations, the real question is: acceptable for what?

If a piano is going to be used for a concert with an orchestra, or as a recital piano in a hall with poor acoustics or over 1000 seats, power is important. The simple reality is that the piano must be heard whether one is battling a huge space, an insensitive conductor and orchestra, or uncooperative acoustics.

Many young pianists, striving to make a name for themselves and influenced by some iconic references including Horowitz and Russian school proponents, find themselves striving for power at the expense of color, dynamics and range. The phrase I heard at international piano competitions is that the contestant wants to “pin the ears of the jury to the back wall” as if the jury is there to simply identify  the loudest pianist, or the one that scares them the most. This may be the nature of a circus, action movie or fireworks display, but it is not the nature of music. Continue reading →

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Prep Line – Feurich USA

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Eric

Feurich model 122I’ve been in Tampa prepping the remaining Feurich model 122 verticals that came in last month. Pianos need preparation, folks, to sound their best and these are sounding pretty good (he adds, humbly).

 

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Resinno in NYC

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Eric

Royal Ebony LegsI’ve been working with Justin Elliott, a designer and piano technician in Florida. Justin has designed a set of legs that can be added to any piano. While they are beautiful and exceptionally well made, there is a surprise!!  Go visit this video for an idea of what the surprise is.

It is one of those things that you really have to hear to believe, since piano legs are not given much thought as a tone affecting element. He calls the effect the Resinno effect

Justin showed his legs (I know, it’s funny, but let it go) in the DPA microphone booth at the Audio Engineering Convention in NYC last week. Big success. Shown here is the Royal Ebony set, consisting of 3 legs and custom designed pedal lyre, bench and music desk.

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Tuned for a famous musician recently

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Eric
OBE

OBE on the left

Had the great pleasure of meeting and tuning for a very famous classical musician recently. His apartment in NYC has a Bosendorfer model 200 that really needed some attention. Casually displayed on the bookshelf were just some of his many awards and honors. Just off to the left was his Kennedy Center Honor, looking like he had just taken it off.

He was a very nice and gracious guy, and a cat lover to boot! With only some exceptions, my experience is that the bigger they are, the better they are.

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Big Changes

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Eric

Feurich actionThis high end piano guy has had a lot change in his life lately. First, my retail experience in NYC has run its course. Time to move on.

Speaking of moving on, I’m the new North American distributor for Feurich Pianos. You can learn more by visiting www.feurichusa.com. If you are really interested in the details, be sure to check out the .pdf backgrounders provided there. Or, for that matter, check them out here.

This all was put together during a trip to Gunzenhausen Germany and Vienna in July. I’m really excited to be working with Julius and Ernest!

Ernest Bittner, Julius Feurich and me

Ernest Bittner, Julius Feurich and me

 

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PTG National Convention

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Eric

I enjoyed a couple of days in Kansas City this summer at the PTG National. These annual events are a piano nerds dream, with classes, presentations and exhibits about all aspects of pianos with a focus on technology (build, repair, regulate).  This was the first national convention in many years where I attended as a private individual rather than a manufacturers representative. I went to maintain industry contacts, but I was also looking forward  to taking classes. I attended a variety, including  presentations by Kawai, Yamaha and  Abel hammers, as well as classes on tuning and regulation. Continue reading →

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